Ewhurst Green, Staplecross and Cripps Corner Village Voice

They have run, and kept open the post office, with great efficiency and friendliness and they will be sadly missed.

Liz has organised the gathering to take place in the village hall between 7-9pm for us all to say a big thank you to Viola and Greg. Everyone wishing to join in this is asked for a donation/food to help along with the event.

n The next meeting of the Garden Society is on February 23 at 7.30pm when Mr Hilary Newman’s talk is entitled ‘Spring’s here – let battle begin’. New members and visitors are always welcome to attend these meetings, when refreshments, a raffle and a plant sales table are on offer, as well as a loan of gardening books.

n Line dancing is extending its classes to include beginners and this is in the Church Room in Staplecross between 6pm to 7.30pm on Mondays. Helen Day, who already holds classes (same venue) on Friday evenings 6pm until 7.30pm, is proving popular and she is hoping to encourage new raw recruits to go along on Mondays who will then be able to progress to Fridays. The cost is £3.50 for a class of fun and exercise.

n Pilates classes on Tuesdays (5-6pm) continue their popularity and these are held in the village hall each week under the tuition of Celia King.

n Unfortunately, despite outside funding, classes for yoga are not proving such a draw and have been suspended pending improved publicity to increase the number of participants.

n The Bonfire Society will be holding its annual dinner dance on Saturday, February 25 in the village hall, with music provided by Ricochet. You do not have to be a Bonfire Society member to attend and should you wish to spend an evening with a delicious meal then tickets are available from The Cross Inn.

n Looking forward to March, Hilary, who holds the successful Art Group each week, is to hold a watercolour painting workshop especially for beginners.

All those who would like to try their hand and learn should ring Hilary on 01580 830704 to book as places are limited. The date is Saturday March 17 10am-4pm in St Mark’s Church Room in Staplecross.

n All those who wish to improve broadband will be interested in a meeting on Friday March 2, 10-11.30am in the Ian Price Room, Heathfield Community Centre, Sheepsetting Lane. This is an opportunity to see what you can do to progress superfast broadband in rural areas.

n The parish council held its February meeting with a long list of matters outstanding and those to move forward.

n The list for this year’s Parish Maintenance Team to attend to was discussed by councillors and already listed is: Clean village name signs, continue to ‘side’ Northiam Road near Boyce’s, repairing/refilling surface where footpath meets carriageway (public footpath to Sempstead Lane, NE of the White Dog). Local residents may care to add to this by reporting to a parish councillor.

n To mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee the council discussed planting a tree in the parish, possibly an oak.

n There is still no land found available for allotments and Cllr Fifield offered to discuss requirement with Mr Eastwood.

n Cllr Reed reported the Play Facilities Working Group had met to consider how to consult across the age groups. A consultation event is to be held in the village hall on a Saturday morning in late April/early May.

n To make use of the former WI hut in Northiam Road had attracted two interested parties. Council decided in the best interests of the parish it should be made available to Ewhurst and Staplecross Bonfire Society.

MARY REEVE

Wodens Wood

Cripps Corner